7 AGs write EPA about modified race car proposal

WASHINGTON (April 4, 2016) — The attorneys general of seven states have sent a letter to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, urging the EPA to delete a proposed change in Clean Air Act regulations that could forbid the conversion of street vehicles into race cars.

“As proposed, this rule attempts to expand the USEPA's statutory jurisdiction under the Clean Air Act to modify vehicles modified solely for racing or competition,” stated the April 1 letter to EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy.

“This approach is contrary to law and would reverse decades of practice by the USEPA,” the letter said. “This unnecessary regulation conflicts with the expressed intent of Congress, and we urge you to remedy this problem in the final rule by deleting the provision.”

The provision on street vehicles is part of the 629-page proposed EPA rule to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase fuel efficiency for medium- and heavy-duty engines and vehicles.

The section on street vehicles states: “Certified motor vehicles and motor vehicle engines and their emission control devices must remain in their certified configuration even if they are used solely for competition or if they become nonroad vehicles or engines.”

The Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) is actively fighting the provision. The Diamond Bar, Calif.-based trade association is urging its members to write their federal legislators in support of the Recognizing the Protection of Motorsports (RPM) Act — a bill that confirms the legality of converting street vehicles into vehicles intended solely for the racetrack.

SEMA has created a model letter supporting the RPM Act for its members to sign and send. It can be found by clicking here.

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